The Bellmunt sanctuary is located at the top of the Bellmunt mountain range near the town of Sant Pere de Torelló and has a viewpoint from where you can see the plains of Vic, the Pyrenees, the Ges valley and the Bisaura cliff formation. The Sanctuary is built directly onto the rock and is a chapel, guesthouse and a restaurant. The entrance to the temple has a lintel made of probably reused limestone and dated 1607. It was described as a "Hermitage suspended in the sky" by catalan author/poet Jacint Verdaguer.
It is believed that the Santuari de Bellmunt is the old church of the old castle of Sa Reganyada, Castell de sa Reganyada, which dates from before the year 1020 and was located in this same place. The current single nave church, Romanesque with a Latin cross houses a 22cm high image of a Gothic Virgin Mary. The legend explains that the Virgin Mary of Bellmunt is also known as the Mother of God of the wings in reference to the swarms of winged ants that, during the month of August, climb to die in the Sanctuary.
This 20Km medium hard route starts in the town of Sant Quirze de Besora and climbs up a forested ridgeline trail via the GR-3 mountain path passing the Bosquetell ruined farmhouse. the final ascent to Sanctuary of Bellmunt is via a forested path that zig zags up to the summit where we find spectacular views on all sides as well as the sanctuary chapel, restaurant and guesthouse.
Opposite the sanctuary is a telecoms tower with viewpoint. From Bellmunt sanctuary the route continues along a forested ridge line to another summit called Puig de Sarragrenyada which also has spectacular views. The path descends via small rock climbs and picks up the Costa de la Guspinera ridge line descending down via Torelló castle tower ruin and into the town of Torelló.
Click on any of the 40 images to open full screen gallery player
The sanctuary sells artisan beers which are worth sampling. I have never eaten in the restaurant but for those that are interested in a meal or overnight stay, visit the web page link below.
Allow 6-9 hours to complete the route depending on personal fitness.
This is an medium-hard walking route in the mountains of bellmunt. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof jacket is recommended.
Take 2 to 3 litres of water.
Take a head torch for autumn hiking because you may finish the route at sunset.
Address: Santuari de Bellmunt, Camí de de Bellmunt, Sant Pere de Torelló. 08572
The route starts at Sant Quirze de Besora on the Red (R3) Rodalies line and ends at Torelló on the red (R3) Rodalies line. Both stations are in the same zone so a return ticket to Sant Quirze de Besora is the same price as two single tickets.
Click on any one of the 2 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
Medium hard linear route to Santuari de Bellmunt from Saint Quirze de Besora returning to Torello via forest ridge path and castllet
Distance: 19.39 Km
Difficulty: Medium
Return Travel Fare: €12.60
Transport Network: Rodalies
TRAIN
TRAIN
